Service outlets

[Doctors Do Little]

I live a charmed life. I've never had a warranty repair in 40 years of car ownership, 4 different cars.

I have had numerous recalls though, a few for software patches. Hopefully, we can do those ourselves.

I wish I could say the same thing! I have had several warranty repairs (mainly in my Dodge vehicles), but one in a Toyota, one in a Kia, and SEVERAL in my Fords.

 

[cadblu]

Earlier this month I visited an Auto Repair shop close to home for an annual safety inspection on my Tesla. Note that Tesla service centers do not perform this service. You need to go to an indie shop.

While inside I noticed a Repair Pal sign. So I had to ask…the dialogue went something like this:

Me: Have you heard of the Slate truck?
RP: what’s a Slate?

Me: It’s a small EV pickup truck from a startup company called Slate Auto. What kind of work can you perform on an EV?
RP: Tires, brakes, suspension work, safety inspections

Me: Can you perform any HV work on EVs?
RP: No, only low voltage eg. Battery

Me: Any plans to become Slate certified?
RP: Need to look into it.

 

[KevinRS]

Me: Have you heard of the Slate truck?
RP: what’s a Slate?
...
Me: Any plans to become Slate certified?
RP: Need to look into it.

This is why I'm thinking Repairpal hasn't gone and blasted info on Slate out to the shops. They had that webinar, which seems to have been thinly attended, maybe they sent out 1 email to shops about it, which most dismissed, they are busy, don't have time to sit through a webinar when they have cars to work on.
Hopefully Repairpal does more to notify shops, but the shops may pay a lot more attention if they have customers asking.

 

[slate808]

Then you already have an opening to ask them if they have heard of Slate, and are planning on it.
Repairpal did a webinar for their shops a while back about Slate, but I don't know how many paid attention. It may take people pointing Slate out to them for "preferred" shops to actively decide to sign on as Slate shops.

Today I stopped by my mechanic’s shop to schedule a regular service for my Tacoma. After we took care of that I asked him if he has heard about Slate. No he hasn’t. So I gave him a brief summary of Slate (the company) and Slate (the truck). Along with website info and the upcoming Slate U (1-2-3-4 wrench levels). He has heard of RepairPal but does not know the specifics of joining their network. He’s going to look into it more for his son than himself. His son joined him after his son finished school last year. Since I checked last year I found there is only one RepairPal location in Hawai’i (it’s on Oahu) so I suggested that he and his son might look into it. I explained the possibility of doing Slate accessory installation work in addition to vehicle maintenance. I plan to take my accessory installation to him regardless of his RepairPal status simply because he really is a great mechanic and a friend.

 

[danielt1263]

I plan to take my accessory installation to him regardless of his RepairPal status simply because he really is a great mechanic and a friend.

That's a good point. RepairPal is only needed for warranty work. For anything else, go where you want. That's the whole point of Right to Repair, yes?

 

[Kopsis]

That's a good point. RepairPal is only needed for warranty work. For anything else, go where you want. That's the whole point of Right to Repair, yes?

We don't even know if it's needed for warranty work. For the battery/powertrain warranty it probably is. For the bumper-to-bumper Slate has hinted at being a lot more flexible (even suggesting they'd cover DIY warranty repairs).

 

[KHN707]

That's a good point. RepairPal is only needed for warranty work. For anything else, go where you want. That's the whole point of Right to Repair, yes?

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says warranty work can be done anywhere. However, the reimbursement process might be easier at a dealer/approved shop.

 

[Kopsis]

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says warranty work can be done anywhere. However, the reimbursement process might be easier at a dealer/approved shop.

I don't think that's correct. MM says manufacturers can't void the warranty if you have non-warranty maintenance and/or repair done elsewhere, nor can they void it for modifications or installation of aftermarket parts that don't have a material effect on the warranted defect. But they can stipulate who is authorized to perform warranted repairs.

 

[KHN707]

I don't think that's correct. MM says manufacturers can't void the warranty if you have non-warranty maintenance and/or repair done elsewhere, nor can they void it for modifications or installation of aftermarket parts that don't have a material effect on the warranted defect. But they can stipulate who is authorized to perform warranted repairs.

Hmmm. You may be right (can't find anything more definitive than this):
https://www.endurancewarranty.com/l...se-any-mechanic-for-repairs-with-my-warranty/
I guess we'll wait for the actual warranty fine print. I'm hoping there aren't any warranty repairs required but, if there are, I'm hoping I can use my trusted shop (that has no plans on signing up with RepairPal).